Dartboards are a key component of any dart game so it’s important to learn the basics about them before you buy your next board. In this post, we will give you all of the information in order to find the best quality board for your needs.
This includes looking at the different types of board, what material would be best for durability and cost-effectiveness, and if you’re looking for something more advanced with electronic scoring or not.
When it comes to buying a dartboard, it might be tempting to go for the cheapest option. It’s not always the best idea as cheap boards tend to be lower quality and don’t last as long as more expensive models.
We’ve researched the best dartboards available to make your decision easier and we have lots of guidance for you to
Table of Contents
5 Best Dartboard Recommendations
Last update on 2024-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core Bristle Dartboard – Best Dart Board
Easily the best darting board around, the Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core Bristle Dartboard with Increased scoring area and improved dart deflection using a revolutionary 30-degree reduction in razor wire angle. So whether you just want to practice your skills or go head-to-head with friends, the world’s most advanced dartboard should do the job.
Achieve higher scores while saving your darts for future use by playing with the world’s only patented dual-core technology that virtually eliminates bounce-outs!
Triple Wheel lock-and-level system makes sure this is no lightweight product but takes care of securing it firmly wherever you may decide to put it!
Pros:
- Long lasting
- Pro board
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Some complaints about shipping
No products found.
2. Cricket Pro 900 by Arachnid – Best Electronic Darboard
The cricket Pro 900 by Arachnid has NylonTough segments that can withstand many games and maintain their shape over time.
The Cricket also includes micro-thin segment dividers that reduce bounce-outs. Plus, this electronic dartboard comes preloaded with 48 games (8 new) and features 1 touch quick select of 3/1 or Cricket as well as 4 player score display.
This electronic dartboard is great value for money as it replicates any electronic dartboard experience you’d get at a venue.
Pros:
- Voice promts
- Lots of games
- Easy to play even for beginners
Cons:
- More expensive than some other options
- IMPROVED PLAYABILITY AND DURABILITY - This electronic dartboard...
- COOL GAME FEATURES - Enjoy 48 games (8 new), with one-touch quick...
- ADVANCED VOICE PROMPT - Featuring a state of the art voice prompt...
- VIBRANT DESIGN and COMES WITH ACCESSORIES - The board is designed...
Last update on 2024-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Arachnid Cricket Pro 800
Step up your game with the Viper regulation-sized electronic dartboard. Extending your playing space, this darts set has an enhanced scoring experience so you don’t have to count everything out manually.
Simply play with friends over 16 players, then enjoy some specialty games like 01 or Cricket on one of their four fun screens!
You’ll never want to go back after using this game system for years. Want more specifications? They’ve got that covered too with accuracy and durability top-quality segments made of precision engineered concave holes that make hitting the target easy thanks to automatic scoring functions too!
Pros:
- Lots of games
- Play against the computer
- Large display
Cons:
- Darts included are not great
- Top Quality Segments - Regulation-Sized 15.5” Electronic Dart...
- Enhanced Scoring Experience - Ultra-Thin Spider And Extended...
- 57 Games For Up To 16 Players - Includes Popular Games Like 01,...
- Extended Display - Larger Display Allows You To Easily Play...
Last update on 2024-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Shot King Regulation Bristle Steel Tip Dartboard – Best Budget Dartboard
The Shot King Regulation Bristle Steel Tip Dartboard Set with Staple-Free Bullseye is a no-nonsense dartboard for the best in tournament play.
The compressed sisal fibers heal over time, ensuring your dartboard is always ready for more without sacrificing professional quality – perfect for steel tip darts.
Galvanized steel spider wire and staple-free bullseye help to reduce bounce-outs and deflections while easy-to-use mounting hardware ensures you’ll be playing on the same size board as professionals do.
It also includes two sets of soft but durable nylon bristle number rings that let you rotate your board and extend its life long beyond what other boards offer!
Pros:
- Low price
- Best seller
- Removeable outer wire so you can rotate the board
Cons:
- Not as long lasting as other boards
No products found.
You might also like our article best dartboards under $50.
5. Unicorn Eclipse Pro Dart Board
You don’t want to miss this Limited Edition Unicorn Eclipse Pro Dart Board with Ultra Slim Segmentation – 30% Thinner Than C.
With the height of Championship quality bristles and complete staple-free construction, no dart game will go unmatched.
This is a unicorn high-tech design, meaning you will never see wire showing through our delicate wiring. With no staples on the darts or on the bullseye, you’ll be able to launch on impulse without breaking anything or potentially hurting anyone else around you.
Trust us, after one game with our new designs, your friends will ask where you got it so they can get their own for themselves!
Pros:
- Affordable
- Removeable number ring
- HIgh quality board
Cons:
- Check your package- sometimes ships without mounting hardware
- Championship quality bristle board
- Unicorn high technology wiring design
- Completely staple-free construction
- Staple-free Bullseye. Assembled Product Weight: 10.7 lbs
Last update on 2024-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Some More Dartboards we Recommend
6. Viper by GLD Products Ion Electronic Dartboard
- illuminated dartboard segments provide a fresh and invigorating...
- includes 48 games with 315 variations for tons of ways to play,...
- target-tested tough segments stand up to heavy use and withstand...
- up to 8-player multiplayer ensures that everyone can play and...
Last update on 2024-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You might also like our article best dartboards under $100.
7. Viper by GLD Products Solar Blast Electronic Dartboard Deluxe
- Top Quality Segments - Regulation-sized 15.5” electronic dart...
- Enhanced Scoring Experience - Ultra-thin spider and extended...
- 43 Games for up to 16 Players - Includes popular games like 01,...
- Comprehensive Display - Easy to read display shows each players...
Last update on 2024-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8. Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 Electronic Dartboard
- Tournament quality electronic dartboard regulation 15.5" target...
- 39 games with 179 variations (seven cricket games)
- NylonTough segments improve durability and playability
- Micro thin segment dividers dramatically reduce bounce outs
Last update on 2024-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Viper Chroma Tournament Bristle Steel Tip Dartboard
- Package length: 5.08 cm
- Package width: 46.355 cm
- Package height: 46.355 cm
- Product Type: SPORTING GOODS
Last update on 2024-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10. Unicorn Smartboard: App Enabled Auto Scoring Bristle Dartboard
- App enabled auto-scoring dartboard from Unicorn
- Darts revolutionized to be fun for everyone
- A high quality regulation size bristle dartboard
- Two sets of steel-tip darts included
Last update on 2024-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You might also like our article best electronic dartboards 2022.
How to Choose a Dartboard
There are essentially 2 types of dartboard that you are interested in -bristle or electronic. Let’s take a closer look at these board types and the things you should look out for when buying.
Bristle Dart Boards
First created in the 1930s, they revolutionized how dartboards were made. Using sisal fibers from the Century plant (a type of agave) they packed the fibers really close together contained within the metal ring. These fibers changed the game as darts can not only stick well into a bristle board surface but when you remove the dart the fibers move back together.
Bristle dartboards have been widely popular as their self-healing properties mean they can last a really long time if you look after them.
Check out our article on how to clean a dartboard for more info on this.
They are generally made from a fiber called sisal which has been compressed and glued to the rear of the board. These securely loaded bristles allow steel dart points to stick but when you remove them they move back together or self-heal.
When choosing a bristle board look for:
- Competition size – if you’re going traditional you may as well experience ‘proper’ darts!
- Removable number circle – so you can rotate your board to lengthen it’s life
- Bladed wiring – this means that the wires on the board dividing the scoring areas are extremely thin and reulst in fewer bounceouts.
- Staple-free wiring – this leaves more surface area for you to score
- Watch out for cheap imitations – cork or even paper boards are cheap and don’t last
Electronic Dart Boards
The electronic dartboard is a relatively new addition to the dartboard world that has become hugely popular in the US. Also referred to as ‘soft tip darts’, you can typically find them in clubs or bars, sports centers, or theme parks. The rise of the electronic dartboard in recent times is testimony to its simplicity.
They have taken the sometimes extremely complicated game of darts and made it beginner-friendly and very social. They have even replaced bristle boards in many venues because they are easy to use, and can even create handicaps so beginners can play against experienced players. Electronic dartboards also are an appealing option for running local leagues because the scoring is all done onboard.
The surface of the digital board is filled with small holes, which are activated as soon as a dart strikes them, and they register the appropriate amount of points. The darts used are soft tip darts, so these boards are likewise called soft tip dartboards.
The notable difference in the rules is the dart doesn’t have to stick in and stay in the board to register points – unlike when playing the traditional game.
Traditional darts players tend to dislike playing soft tip darts for a number of reasons but probably the main difference for a player is the weight of the darts. Soft tip darts are much lighter and usually max out at 18g whereas steel tip darts can go as heavy as 50g though preferred weights average around 20-26 grams.
The main benefit of these boards is the automatic scoring that they offer. Some boards also offer long-term stat monitoring too, memorizing the details of your performance like tracking your PPD (points per dart average), leaderboards, etc. Many models now offer voice options for players. Because of this, they can be a terrific tool for improving your game and evaluating your performance.
Nonetheless, electronic boards can be expensive, and you will have to ensure access to an electric socket so you can plug them in. Remember, you will have to use soft tip darts to play on these boards. Maintenance can be a concern as if things do break, repairs can be expensive.
Magnetic Dart Boards
These dartboards are unique and are commonly viewed as a fun, laid-back choice and a totally different means to play darts. They’re not a great alternative for any person that wants to play seriously or competitively. However, they can be a nice introduction to darts for kids. Unlike many boards, these are used of flat-tipped darts that don’t puncture the board at all. The darts are magnetic and stick to the magnetic board when thrown at it.
If your kids are interested in darts, this is what to go for. Usually made of plastic and magnetic material, they are often double-sided and can even be played outside.
They’re also terrific for parties where individuals are liable to get a little bit drunk, so there will not be any kind of unintended accidents entailing the darts.
Most of these boards are reasonably priced, generally no more pricey than bristle boards and absolutely not in digital ones. Overall, fun and safe choice.
Check out our article on the best magnetic dartboards.
Keeping a Bristle Dart Board Alive
To keep your board in the very best possible shape, keep an eye on your lighting and turn them off when not in use. Brilliant lights will fade the colors and make the fibers dry and much less effective at closing when you pull the darts out.
Rotating and spraying your board lightly with water will stop it from drying out and prevent wear and tear on only the popular target areas. Check out our article on how to clean a dartboard.
Final Words
Darts is a terrific sport with a variety of great games you can play, so taking the time to get a dartboard that balances high quality with function, as well as price, is worth the effort for hours of enjoyment with family and friends. We hope you enjoy your dartboard!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best quality dartboard?
Based on our testing, the best quality dartboard on the market right now is the Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core Bristle Dartboard. For electronic boards, we like the Cricket Pro 900 by Arachnid.
What dartboard do professionals use?
Professional darts players use bristle dartboards such as the Barrington Collection Bristle Dart Board or the Winmau Blade 5. These satisfy competition guidelines, permitting them to practice in ideal situations.
Why do my darts fall out of the dartboard?
Darts may fall out of the dartboard or bounce for three main reasons. Either your dartboard is old and needs replacing, or your darts are not heavy enough, your throw is not strong enough or your darts need sharpening (we’re talking about steel tip darts).
Alex Cooper is the editor of this website. He loves darts and helping people. Alex started playing darts at the young age of 10, as his father was also a keen darts player, and has loved it ever since. Alex enjoys writing about darts and helping others learn more about the sport.
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